Country Boy (Alan Jackson song)

Last updated
"Country Boy"
Alan Country Boy.jpg
Single by Alan Jackson
from the album Good Time
ReleasedSeptember 29, 2008
Genre Country
Length4:06
Label Arista Nashville
Songwriter(s) Alan Jackson
Producer(s) Keith Stegall
Alan Jackson singles chronology
"Good Time"
(2008)
"Country Boy"
(2008)
"Sissy's Song"
(2009)

"Country Boy" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It is the third single from his album Good Time , having been released in September 2008. In January 2009, "Country Boy" became his twenty-fifth Number One hit on the Billboard country singles charts, as well as the third straight Number One from the album. It was briefly used in the 2010 film Unstoppable .

Contents

Content

The song is a moderate up-tempo backed mainly by electric guitar. In it, the male narrator addresses a female, inviting her to climb up into his four-wheel drive truck and telling her that he can take her wherever she wants, because he is a "country boy".

Critical reception

Brady Vercher of Engine 145 gave the song a "thumbs down" rating. His review called the song "four minutes of triviality that declines to say anything more significant than 'I'm a country boy, I've got a 4 wheel drive…'Country Boy' is the kind of rubbish that would be expected from a new artist trying to prove their questionable country credentials rather than a respected veteran of the genre." [1] His review also compared the song's theme to "Country Man", a Top Ten hit for Luke Bryan in mid-2008: "where ['Country Man'] embraces it’s[ sic ] own absurdity, 'Country Boy' tries to cover it’s[ sic ] own suggestive innuendo." [1] Jeffrey B. Remz of Country Standard Time described the song more favorably, saying that despite the song's often-used theme of Southern life, "Jackson can lay claim to being the real deal and not a poseur." [2]

Music video

In late September 2008, Jackson announced on his official YouTube channel that he was holding a music video contest for "Country Boy". The viewers, or YouTubers, were asked to create a simple video no longer than five minutes driving around with a girlfriend. The contest ended on October 6, 2008, and was won by Clay Ashley, Dan Hair, and Mark Trotter of Sioux City, Iowa. [3] Before the official video, television network CMT aired a live music video which featured Jackson performing the song with Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and George Strait on the CMT Country Giants special.

Chart performance

"Country Boy" peaked at Number One on the Billboard country charts in January 2009, becoming Jackson's twenty-fifth Number One on that chart and matching George Strait's record for the most Number One hits by a country artist since January 1990, when the charts were first tabulated via Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (counting only singles that were Number Ones during that timespan). [4]

Chart (2008–2009)Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [5] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [6] 49
Canada Country ( Billboard ) [7] 1
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [8] 61

Year-end charts

Chart (2009)Position
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] 46

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Morgan</span> American musical artist

Craig Morgan Greer is an American country music artist. A veteran of the United States Army as a forward observer and current member of the United States Army Reserve, Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on Atlantic Records, releasing his self-titled debut album for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, Morgan signed to the independent Broken Bow Records, on which he released three studio albums: 2003's I Love It, 2005's My Kind of Livin', and 2006's Little Bit of Life. These produced several chart hits, including "That's What I Love About Sunday", which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts while also holding the No. 1 position on that year's Billboard Year-End chart for the country format. A greatest hits package followed in mid-2008 before Morgan signed to BNA Records and released That's Why later that same year. After exiting BNA, Morgan signed with Black River Entertainment and released This Ole Boy in 2012, followed by A Whole Lot More to Me in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ready, Set, Don't Go</span> 2007 single by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus

"Ready, Set, Don't Go" is a country song recorded by American singers Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. It was released as the lead single from Home at Last, Billy Ray Cyrus' tenth studio album on August 13, 2007. The song has received different interpretations, although, in actuality, Cyrus wrote the song several years before its release when his middle daughter, Miley, moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue an acting career with an audition for the Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana. "Ready, Set, Don't Go" received critical praise, with reviewers complimenting its lyrical content. It also reached positive commercial responses for Cyrus, compared to his downfall in previous years. Peaking at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became Cyrus' first entry on the chart since "You Won't Be Lonely Now" (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Told You So (Randy Travis song)</span> 1988 song by Randy Travis

"I Told You So" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis from his 1987 album, Always & Forever. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard and Canadian RPM country singles charts in June 1988. Travis had first recorded it on his 1983 album Live at the Nashville Palace under his stage name "Randy Ray". It became a local hit and one of his most requested songs at the club. In 2007, the song was covered by Carrie Underwood on her album Carnival Ride. Her version was released in February 2009 and was re-recorded and re-released in March as a duet with Travis. Underwood's and Travis' duet peaked at number two on the U.S. country charts in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shiftwork (song)</span> 2007 single by Kenny Chesney and George Strait

"Shiftwork" is a song written by Troy Jones and recorded by the American country music artist Kenny Chesney with George Strait as a duet. It was released in December 2007 as the third single from Chesney's 2007 album, Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristofferson (song)</span> 2008 single by Tim McGraw

"Kristofferson" is a song written by Anthony Smith and Reed Nielsen, and recorded by American country music singer Tim McGraw. It was released in March 2008 as the fifth single from his album Let It Go. The song peaked at number 16 on the country singles charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a Hottie</span> 2008 single by Toby Keith

"She's a Hottie" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was the only new track on his 2008 compilation album 35 Biggest Hits, and was released as a single on March 4, 2008. The song was included on the compilation's second disc. Keith wrote the song along with Bobby Pinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troubadour (song)</span> 2008 single by George Strait

"Troubadour" is a song written by Leslie Satcher and Monty Holmes, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in June 2008 as the second single and title track from his album Troubadour. The song was the 86th chart single of his career. It has become his 79th Top Ten single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Troubadour" was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Vince Gill sings background vocals on the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Know You're Beautiful</span> 2008 single by Kellie Pickler

"Don't You Know You're Beautiful" is a song written by Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, and Karyn Rochelle, and recorded by American country music artist Kellie Pickler. It served as the lead-off single to her self-titled second album. Pickler debuted the song at the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and it was officially released to radio in June as the fourth single of her career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country Man</span> 2008 single by Luke Bryan

"Country Man" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Luke Bryan. It originally appeared on his 2006 self-titled EP, and was released in March 2008 as the third single from his debut album I'll Stay Me. The song, like Bryan's previous two singles, charted in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. His second top 10 single, it was the first in a streak of 29 consecutive top 10 singles for Bryan. This streak ended in 2022, when "Up" peaked at number 21. It was written by Bryan, Patrick Jason Matthews and Galen Griffin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Color (song)</span> 2008 single by Jamey Johnson

"In Color" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Jamey Johnson. It was released in March 2008 as the first single from his 2008 album That Lonesome Song. Johnson co-wrote the song with James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller. In January 2009, "In Color" became Johnson's first Top 10 country hit with a peak at number 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob That Head</span> 2008 single by Rascal Flatts

"Bob That Head" is a song written by Gary LeVox, Neil Thrasher, and Michael Dulaney and recorded by American country music group Rascal Flatts. It was released in July 2008 as the fourth single from their album Still Feels Good. With a peak of number 15 in late 2008, the song became their first single not to reach Top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Already Gone (Sugarland song)</span> 2008 single by Sugarland

"Already Gone" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Sugarland. It was released in September 2008 as the second single from their album Love on the Inside, which was released on July 29, 2008. Sugarland's members, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, wrote the song with Bobby Pinson, with whom the duo also co-wrote two of their previous singles, "Want To" and "All I Want to Do".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here (Rascal Flatts song)</span> 2008 single by Rascal Flatts

"Here" is a song written by Jeffrey Steele and Steve Robson and recorded by American country music group Rascal Flatts. It was released in September 2008 as the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album Still Feels Good.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel That Fire (song)</span> 2008 single by Dierks Bentley

"Feel That Fire" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released in September 2008 as the first single and title track from his 2009 album of the same name. The song became Bentley's sixth Number One on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 21, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Wouldn't Be Gone</span> 2008 single by Blake Shelton

"She Wouldn't Be Gone" is a song written by Jennifer Adan and Cory Batten and recorded by American country music singer Blake Shelton. It was released in August 2008 as the first single from Shelton's 2008 album Startin' Fires. The song became Shelton's fifth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in February 2009.

"Tall, Tall Trees" is a song co-written by American singers George Jones and Roger Miller. Jones first released the song in 1957 as the B-side to his "Hearts in My Dream" single. Miller released his version on his 1970 album A Trip in the Country.

"Who's Cheatin' Who" is a country music song written by Jerry Hayes and initially recorded by Charly McClain. It was the title track of her 1980 album for Epic Records, released in November 1980 as a single with "Love Scenes" on the B-side, and in early 1981, was her first Number One hit on the Billboard country charts. 17 years later, Alan Jackson had chart success with the song as well, with his version reaching number two on the same chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Call (Lee Ann Womack song)</span> 2008 single by Lee Ann Womack

"Last Call" is a song written by Erin Enderlin and Shane McAnally, and recorded by American country music artist Lee Ann Womack. It was released in June 2008 as the lead-off single from Womack's album Call Me Crazy, which was released in October 2008. In December the song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Womack's first Top 20 hit in three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River of Love</span> 2008 single by George Strait

"River of Love" is a song written by Billy Burnette, Shawn Camp and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in November 2008 as the third single from the album Troubadour. The 87th single of his career, it is also his 80th Top Ten on the Billboard country charts, as well as his 44th and final Number One hit to date.

"How 'bout You Don't" is a song written by Stokes Nielson, Jeremy Stover and Vicky McGehee, and recorded by American country music band The Lost Trailers. The song was the band's fifth chart single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. It was released in October 2008 as the second single to their album Holler Back, released in August 2008 on BNA Records.

References

  1. 1 2 Vercher, Brady (2008-09-07). "Alan Jackson - "Country Boy"". Engine 145. Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  2. Remz, Jeffrey B. "Good Time review". Country Standard Time . Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  3. Fox, Joanne (2009-01-02). "Siouxland guys win Alan Jackson video contest". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  4. Cohen, Jonathan (2009-01-22). "Lady GaGa Leads Hot 100 Amid Static Top 5". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  5. "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  6. "Alan Jackson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "Alan Jackson Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  8. "Alan Jackson Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. "Best of 2009: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2009.